Buick chokes after refueling

[zahc]

I have a 2002 Park Avenue that has started choking, puking and stalling occasionally. When it's not doing the above, it runs absolutely fine. It seems to do it after being re-fueled. There are no check engine lights. I replaced the IAC valve, but that was before I realized it was doing it after refueling.

I'm thinking it might be the screen in the fuel tank, or maybe the fuel filter, but I'm still not sure why refueling it would cause that. Any ideas? Do these newfangled "modern" cars monitor fuel level somehow? Could the fact that the fresh fuel is cooler in temperature be an explanation?

[Jamisjockey]

Is your filter inline, or mounted in the tank? Fuel pump?  I'd bet one of those is fouled.

[Sergeant Bob]

I'm thinking it might be the screen in the fuel tank, or maybe the fuel filter, but I'm still not sure why refueling it would cause that. Any ideas?

The reason it might happen after refueling is that it could be stirring up the water and/or gunk in the bottom of the tank, clogging the screen.

[charby]

Do you fill it until the pump clicks once (then done) or do you fill it until fuel sloshes out?

[Doggy Daddy]

Do you fill it until the pump clicks once (then done) or do you fill it until fuel sloshes out?

Hows about "until the prepaid amount shows on the pump?"   

[Fitz]

Clogged vent tube?

[charby]

Hows about "until the prepaid amount shows on the pump?"  

I love living in Iowa, you pull up to the pump, press pay inside, fill up then go inside and pay the clerk. Very few gas stations in the state have prepay, usually ones in shady neighborhoods or very busy interstate exchanges.

[Tallpine]

I love living in Iowa, you pull up to the pump, press pay inside, fill up then go inside and pay the clerk. Very few gas stations in the state have prepay, usually ones in shady neighborhoods or very busy interstate exchanges.

I noticed the one place we stopped in Iowa made you go inside to pay with a c/c because they didn't have swipe pumps.  At least they didn't demand that you leave your card first.

I take that back ... there's a place on 35 just south of the MN line - I think you can swipe a card at the pump there 

[Scout26]

Try a bottle of Heet or some type of line drier/water remover.  That's the under $5.00 solution.  If that works, your good.  If it doesn't then you've got a clogged filter or screen in the tank.  Probably rust or other sediment in the tank.

[Tallpine]

Try a bottle of Heet or some type of line drier/water remover.  That's the under $5.00 solution.  If that works, your good.  If it doesn't then you've got a clogged filter or screen in the tank.  Probably rust or other sediment in the tank.

Replacing the filter is always a good first step too.

[zahc]

I fill it till it clicks.

I wish i had a good scanner so I could look at the fuel trims.

The fule filter is inline and I replaced it when I got the car 30k ago. I guess it won't hurt to put another on there.

We have only 10% ethanol available here; I thought Heet was just alcohol and thus obsolete.

[RocketMan]

Wife's car used to do that exact same thing.  It was a small amount of water in the tank, probably from condensation.  Used an I-don't-remember-which additive to get rid of it.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

Replacing the filter is always a good first step too.

its a better first step if you don't pass the old filter over your face while tilting it, dumping a pint of fuel in your face as you lay under car

[Scout26]

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_x_7080638-P_x_x?cm_mmc=ACQ-_-Google-_-enhancedRM-_-7080638&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=7080638&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw=&gclid=CNa2kY_vjLgCFYYWMgod2mgA3A#utm_source=acq&utm_medium=google&utm_campaign=enhancedrm&utm_content=7080638

[Marnoot]

Replacing the filter is always a good first step too.

More and more this is less of an option. On several models, they (claim to) design the filter to last as long as the pump, and therefore make it integral to the pump assembly. So for instance in my 2001 Nissan Maxima, if I want to replace the fuel filter I have to remove my entire back seat, unbolt some structural components, then replace the $200 fuel pump assembly to replace the $2 filter inseparably connected to it.

On my brother's 2000 Mercury Cougar, the fuel tank has to be dropped to get at the filter.

I'm more and more of the opinion that the engineers that decide where to place parts should be required to remove and replace the parts they placed with standard tools as punishment for their "cram it all in, just has to fit" mentality.

[charby]

I'm more and more of the opinion that the engineers that decide where to place parts should be required to remove and replace the parts they placed with standard tools as punishment for their "cram it all in, just has to fit" mentality.

Build for ease and cheaper costs at assembly.

[Tallpine]

...
The fule filter is inline and I replaced it when I got the car 30k ago. I guess it won't hurt to put another on there.

...

Yeah, I reckon 

[zahc]

Well I put in a $3 can of red HEET and replaced the fuel filter with a Wix. It wasn't clogged per the blow-test, and only a modest amount of rusty junk came out the dirty side, but who knows about the fuel screen inside the tank. Oreilly wants $270 for a new pump.

[CNYCacher]

I love living in Iowa, you pull up to the pump, press pay inside, fill up then go inside and pay the clerk. Very few gas stations in the state have prepay, usually ones in shady neighborhoods or very busy interstate exchanges.

Hell, we still have a few of those in NY. The entire pre-pay thing didn't actually hit here until 2004ish